Farley’s East cafe will collect donated winter coats today

The Saint Vincent de Paul Display window at Farley's East includes items from the charity's reuse-centered gallery space and retail center in Alameda, Redux.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Alameda County needs winter coats to give to those who don’t have one. Melanie Diegel works for the charity, so she knows this. But when she pulled up to work on a rainy morning a few days ago and saw dozens of men and women standing in the wet cold, forming a line an hour before the dining room doors would open for lunch service, she really knew it. Seeing their scant protection against the elements jarred her—men were wearing sneakers, but no socks, and many people were without coats.

So Diegel began collecting coats for people who need them to stay warm these cold months. As giving and events manager for Saint Vincent, it’s part of her job, but she says she’s compelled by the need she sees. “The things we take for granted—shoes that will keep the rain out, a warm jacket; we’re trying to get people to donate them,” she says. “It’s about keeping warm in the winter.”

On Thursday, December 6, Oaklanders will have an opportunity to gift coats to the organization in an unusual setting: Customers who walk into Farley’s East café between 5 and 9 pm will find Saint Vincent banners in the window display, staffers manning an information table and chatting with guests, free appetizers and a collection barrel for winter-wear. Diegel hopes people will donate old or unwanted jackets, she says, “Instead of them taking up room in the closet.”